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NEET UG 2026 » NEET UG Study Material » Chemistry » Catenation
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Catenation

Catenation is the joining together of atoms of identical elements to form a sequence of bonds known as a chain. Learn more in the article below.

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Introduction

Catenation is the capacity of carbon to form lengthy chains of atoms and molecules. In fact, carbon atoms are distinguishable from other atoms in nature because of catenation, and they are distinguishable from all other opposing atoms found in nature. In the present day, the geometry of carbon chains is determined by the type bonds, or power bonds, that they form with distinct carbon atoms. 

Examples of Catenation

The following are the most frequently encountered examples of catenation or parts that exhibit catenation:

  • Carbon
  • Silicon
  • Sulfur
  • Hydrogen 

CARBON

Catenation occurs most frequently with carbon, which makes valence bonds with distinct carbon atoms in order to construct larger chains and structural components. Catenation properties of L Carbon are the most well-documented of its properties. When a large number of diffuse orbitals (those with greater angle quantum numbers) overlap to form the bond, the ability to set up is depending on the bond energy of the element to itself, which lowers. In order to construct longer alphabetic letter secured chains of atoms, carbon, which has the least amount of diffuse valence shell p orbital, is more capable than heavier parts that link via greater valence shell orbitals in the diffuse valence shell p orbital.

SILICON

Silicon contains many forms of valence bonds that are formed between different semiconductor atoms. Although it is possible to arrange and isolate SinH2n+2 (analogous to saturated aliphatic compound hydrocarbons) with n greater than eight bonds, doing so is difficult because their thermal stability decreases as n increases, and this decrease will increase within the range of semiconductor atoms as well. Silanes have a larger mass than disilane, which decomposes to form polysilicon, and are hence more abundant. On the other hand, by incorporating the proper sort of organic substituents in situ of gas on every semiconductor, it has the ability to arrange polysilanes (which are sometimes incorrectly referred to as polysilanes), which are alkane analogues. Because of the delocalization of electrons within the chain, these long-chain compounds exhibit stable electronic characteristics, such as strong electrical conductivity, as a result of the delocalization of electrons within the chain. Even silicon-silicon pi bonds have the potential to be useful. These bonds, on the other hand, are less stable than their carbon cousins. 

SULPHUR 

We’ve seen that every chemical element can coexist with O2 and O3 as demonstrated. As a result, it will combine with no more than two more atoms. Sulfur is also added to the mix in a similar way. Sulfur nonetheless has a greater ability to condense than the other chemical elements, despite its low concentration. Filling occurs in 2p orbitals, whereas sulphur elements are filled in 3p orbitals, as a result of this arrangement. The second shell is devoid of any d-orbital vacancies, which means that electron filling will not take place in this shell. The third shell, on the other hand, contains a vacant d-orbital, which can be used to accommodate any more incoming electrons if necessary.

However, it should be emphasised that the third sulphur orbital is almost always unoccupied. The filling takes occur only at 3 p. However, during catenation, when a large number of electrons return, they enter the third orbital, however in chemical elements, there is no vacant orbital where a large number of electrons may be accommodated, and as a result, it does not combine with a large number of atoms. As a result, there is less catenation.

HYDROGEN

Hydrogen bonding is widely recognised in chemical science as a mechanism that facilitates the creation of chain structures. Catenated hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl group teams in 4-tricyclanol C10H16O and other compounds, which results in the development of spiral chains, is an example of this type of bonding. Crystalline isophthalic acid (C8H6O4) is composed of molecules that are linked together by hydrogen bonds to form endless chains of molecules.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, we can conclude that catenation is the joining together of atoms that are identical in their constituent components to form larger chains. Catenation is most likely to occur in carbon, which creates valence bonds with distinct carbon atoms in order to construct larger chains and structural components. In recent years, a variety of double and triple bonds between semi-metallic parts has been discovered, including silicon, germanium, arsenic, and other elements.

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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET Examination Preparation.

Which element shows principally catenation?

  ...Read full

Why does carbon show catenation however lead does not?

Ans. Since the atomic size of carbon is way smaller than that of lead so carbon-carbon bond strength is much above t...Read full

What exactly is the significance of catenation?

Ans.Catenation is the joining together of atoms of the same element to form longer chains of that element. Catenatio...Read full

What is the catenation property, and how does it work?

Ans.Catenation refers to the property of an element’s atoms self-linking. It is determined by the bond energy,...Read full

What is the significance of the term "catenation" in relation to carbon?

Ans. It is caused by the bonding of the p-p orbital of carbon atoms, which results in the formation of a lengthy cha...Read full

 

Ans. Carbon is most documented for its properties of catenation, with chemical science basically being the study of catenated carbon structures (and referred to as catenae).

Ans. Since the atomic size of carbon is way smaller than that of lead so carbon-carbon bond strength is much above that of lead-lead bond. Because of stronger C-C than Pb-Pb bonds, carbon contains a much higher tendency for catenation than lead.

Ans.Catenation is the joining together of atoms of the same element to form longer chains of that element. Catenation happens most readily in carbon, which makes covalent bonds with other carbon atoms to form larger chains and structures. Catenation occurs most frequently in the presence of oxygen. The presence of such a large number of organic compounds in nature can be attributed to this phenomenon.

Ans.Catenation refers to the property of an element’s atoms self-linking. It is determined by the bond energy, size, and length of atoms of the same element. As a result, the element with the best catenation property is the one that can produce stronger and shorter self-linking links.

Ans. It is caused by the bonding of the p-p orbital of carbon atoms, which results in the formation of a lengthy chain. Due to the fact that carbon has four valence electrons. Every electron has the ability to bind with any hydrogen electron, resulting in the formation of several new elements, a process known as catenation.

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